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The Elements

The Elements

by Philip Ball

3.00 out of 5 (1 ratings)

Format:
Paperback 
Pages:
186 
Publisher:
Oxford University Press 
Publication Date:
08 April 2004 
Category:
Inorganic Chemistry 
ISBN:
9780192840998 

Description

This Very Short Introduction traces the history and cultural impact of the elements on humankind, and examines why people have long sought to identify the substances around them. Looking beyond the Periodic Table, the author examines our relationship with matter, from the uncomplicated vision of the Greek philosophers, who believed there were four elements - earth, air, fire, and water - to the work of modern-day scientists in creating elements such as hassium and meitnerium. Packed with anecdotes, The Elements is a highly engaging and entertaining exploration of the fundamental question: what is the world made from?

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Showing 1-2 out of 2 reviews.

  • From the title and the series, one might expect to get an introduction to chemistry. What you get is a history of the science of chemistry from the ancient Greeks to cyclotrons. There are also some chapters on the role various elements (notable gold) have played in human history. This is all very interesting and extremely readable, but if you are looking for an introduction to chemistry, you will be disappointed.

    3.00 out of 5

    CharlesFerdinand

  • Scampers lightly from earth-air-fire-water to oxygen, to gold, to the Periodic Table, to the transuranics, to isotopes and applications.

    out of 5

    fpagan

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